THE CHARYBDIS ASSOCIATION AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

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1 THE CHARYBDIS ASSOCIATION AUTUMN NEWSLETTER November 2017 Dear Member, It s that time of year again and a visit to the shops and the darker evenings remind us that Christmas is approaching, so it s time for news and information from the Charybdis and Limbourne family. The Association is still without a Secretary and report writing is not one of my greatest skills, so I am pleased to say that Colin Hickling (Vice Chairman) has written this report of our Memorial Weekend. Guernsey Memorial Weekend Report from Colin Hickling 2017 marked the 74th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne, with its massive loss of life. Our Memorial Weekend provides us with the opportunity to remember the sacrifice of those who did not survive and also the importance of the event in Guernsey s history. We were sorry that some members who were booked to be with us were unable to attend. Paul and Cheryl Douglas weren t well so at the last minute sadly had to pull out. David Vale had a bad fall and was advised not to travel, so he and Lyn were unable to come but, thankfully, David had completed all the necessary arrangements and Lyn with her usual efficiency had, with help from her daughter, Alexandra, couriered a parcel to the hotel with all the wreaths and information etc. which is needed for the weekend to run smoothly. David is doing well and making a good recovery. Sadly, Addy Roberts had a massive stroke upon arriving at the hotel, was rushed into hospital and on the Saturday was transported by Air Ambulance to Telford, so that also meant that Roger and Marilyn were unable to take part. I'm sorry to say Addy passed away the following Saturday. Her sparkle and love will be so missed. Whilst we are on sad news, survivors Gerald Evans, Alan Larcombe, Jim Duckworth and Neil Wood are no longer with us. Neil's family were here in force to make up for us missing his welcoming smile. We were thrilled to welcome three new members, Carolyn Oddie and Rosemary, who had travelled from the Australia and the USA to be with us. Commander Eric Oddie, their father, was on HMS Charybdis and was a survivor along with Eric Davies who was his batman. Can you believe that? Carolyn and Rosemary went, afterwards, with the Davies family to meet Eric in Bristol. Carolyn said "our visit with Eric was truly a jewel in the crown---amazing man with stories of Dad ---- treasured". Keith Sansome, we know him as Sam, is a Warrant Officer and served on HMS Charybdis (that is the later one). We were grateful for his instruction on standard bearing and marching. The Naval Dinner, hosted by the Guernsey Association Royal Navy Royal Marines at the Peninsula Hotel, was our first event. We were joined by Lt. Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder and Lady Corder. This year we were pleased to have the Royal Navy football team who always add something to the occasion. They were a credit to the Navy and even with our age differences they made great conversation and made us feel comfortable. Commodore Jamie Miller gave a fabulous speech with a detailed account of the 23 rd October He also introduced two Naval guys, a Petty Officer and Leading Hand, who told us of their naval experiences, which was really interesting and they spoke with great confidence. Jamie thanked them in his gracious way. Our thanks to David and Barbara Amory and the Guernsey committee for organising and including us in this event. On Saturday our first visit was to the Sea Cadets at TS Sarnia. The Cadets gave us their usual welcome with refreshments. It was good to hear of their achievements. John, our President, gave our thanks and our

2 contribution to their funds and then called upon Marine Cadet Anthony Worrall, aged 16, to make a speech, which he did admirably. We went on to St. Julian s Pier for the Lifeboat Wreath Laying and Committal of Ashes Service at Sea. This year we were able to give places on the lifeboat to others, as we had only one survivor, John Eskdale, who was accompanied by his son Jonathon. The service had a more poignant and sad note because, from the lifeboat the ashes of Gerald Evans and Sheila Peever were laid to rest. They will be sadly missed, yet the fact that they wanted to be laid at our memorial is a reminder that they will be with us. Some stayed in town whilst others went back to the hotel to wait for the bus to take us to Government House. What a change this would be. Having arrived at Government House we were welcomed by a lovely reception hosted by the Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder and Lady Corder. We were then entertained by the local Corps of Drums on the rear lawn. After that we were ushered to the main lawn at the front (I say lawn, more of a huge field). With perfect timing the R.M. Band Beat the Retreat. There is nothing like them. Well, back to the hotel and on with the lighter side of our weekend. Thanks to Cozzie and the staff of the hotel we were treated to a buffet. The At Home evening started off with the Ukuladeez, who again entertained us superbly. This was followed by our usual raffle, with a difference, which went down really well. I won't tell you the difference, you will have to come and see. All I can say is Andrew and Liz did a fabulous job of modelling. On Sunday, we were bussed to St Johns Church for our Memorial Service. Chris carried our Standard, with Andrew and Colin as escorts. The Service was conducted by Reverend Matthew Barrett. It was a most enjoyable and moving service, especially with the involvement of the children, who not only received a blessing but, also a bar of chocolate. They brought the altar and sacraments to our level, so nobody had to climb steps. A welcome Lunch followed at Les Cotils, with thanks given by Reverend Matthew and, at the end, thanks to our Committee for the work they do. The disappointing news was, because of the rain, the RM Marine Band were unable to undertake the march, because their tunics would be soaked for the evening concert. Well, we weren t fazed and were bussed to Foulon Cemetery and arranged for the Salvation Army Band to play a march for us to arrive to. We met the Cadets and Standards within view of the Band and, with agreed signals, we all marched into Foulon Cemetery. It was as usual a lovely Service, with Jean-Marc Eskdale reading the lesson. Sunday evening took us to St James Hall, where the Royal Marines gave a fabulous concert. As I have said before - nothing like them. So the weekend is over. Sad goodbyes, but hopefully glad reunions that bind our family together. Watch this space for news of our next year - yes our 75th. Colin Hickling Thank you Colin for your report. I am pleased to be able to say that I have just visited David and he is making a good recovery but waiting to get the all clear from the DVLA to be able to start driving again Just a few comments from me regarding the Memorial Weekend. I love visiting Guernsey; once you arrive there is a feeling of life slowing down, tranquillity and peace, although the weekend itself is somewhat frantic with all our planned events. It is the occasion in the year that makes me aware of how such a terrible event has linked so many of our lives together. The weekend gives us the opportunity and time to share losses and also to support each other, whether we are survivors, family of survivors or relatives of those lost at sea.

3 It is always a pleasure to visit the Sea Cadets at T.S. Sarnia. They always give us a warm welcome with a smart Guard of Honour and welcome refreshments. It is a great to see young people involved in activities which are developing a wide range of skills for life. It is interesting to follow them. Government House As Colin has said we had a change of programme this year with our invitation to Government House in the early evening, to be entertained by the Elizabeth College Corps of Drums and the Plymouth Band of Royal Marines Beating the Retreat, including the Ceremony of Sunset, with the White ensign being lowered by Cadets of TS Sarnia. What an amazing experience in a very different setting and especially hard for the band to be marching on grass. If you like me are not sure of the origin of beating the retreat you may find this interesting. Origins of Beating The Retreat The ceremony of Beating Retreat has its origins in the practicalities of early warfare when the drum was used for all signals on the battlefield. Beating the Retreat was a signal for troops to disengage from combat as light faded. The custom was also used to warn outlying troops to withdraw to the confines of the encampment before the picquets were set for the night. One of the first reference to the custom of Retreat is in the Rules and Ordynaunces for Warre, dated 1554, where it is called Watch Setting. In 1727, Humphrey Bland s Treatise of Military Discipline stated, Half an hour before the gates are to be shut, generally at the setting of the sun, the Drummers of Port Guard are to go upon the ramparts and beat a retreat to give notice, to those without, that the gates are to be shut. The original call of Retreat was beaten by drums alone and it was some years before fifers were added to play tunes. The bugle came later still and the present ceremony, of having a band parade, is a modern innovation to add spectacle. The ceremony of Beating Retreat, in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, rose to importance in the 1930 s when the then Commander-in Chief Mediterranean Fleet, Admiral Sir William Fisher KCB CVO, chose it as an impressive spectacle to perform when his Fleet visited foreign ports. It is often performed with mass bands of the Royal Marines or just a single band whenever the Royal Navy visit. Services Reverend Matthew Barrett is the new vicar of St Johns Church but is also responsible for the Town Church. He led the Sunday morning service and, with Rev. Peter Graysmith, led our service at sea. He made us very welcome and showed a great interest in the Association. In order to manage the two churches he is making adjustments to service times which may impact on our programme next year. Carolyn, Rosemary and Sam, our new members, were able to visit the Charybdis Corner of St John s where mementoes of the ships involved in Operation Tunnel are displayed, with a book listing all those lost that night. I am pleased to say that we have a new Standard and new holder which makes the job of Standard bearing so much easier. Thanks to John and Jacqueline Clink for sorting this out. We should also congratulate Andrew Lake, Neil Woods grandson-in-law, on carrying the Standard at the Foulon Cemetery for the first time and managing the dipping in quite difficult weather conditions. Neil would have been so pleased and proud that a family member was representing his ship mates lost at sea all those years ago. Due to the poor weather the service at the Foulon Cemetery was shortened but still as poignant and meaningful as ever, with the Wreath Laying Ceremony. John Clink laid the Wreath on behalf of the Association. Pat Lufkin and Philip Burrows then laid the Wreath on the Unknown Charybdis Sailor s grave and then Rory Johnson, son of Liz & Pat Johnson, laid their Wreath in memory of Association Members who have since died.

4 Our Saturday evening raffle raised 210 for our funds thanks to everyone who donated prizes and bought tickets. Our concern for Addy, Roger and Marilyn hung over us all weekend. We have to thank to all our island friends who gave them so much support, especially Eleanore Browning for the personal help she gave Marilyn and her help to the committee over the weekend. It has been a great pleasure to make Eleanore and Martin Honorary Members of the Association, which needs ratifying at the AGM. Our thanks also to Richard Heaume for his invitation to the Occupation Museum, to Anita and Peter Carey for organising Sunday Lunch and their contact with the Ukuladeez. With David and Lyn missing, the committee were thin on the ground and we were kept on our toes but, with help and support from members and friends, the weekend was a success. I must give a personal thanks to Chris Davies and Kenneth Hopkins for the dash back to the cemetery, in the pouring rain, to retrieve the Charybdis hat band from the wreath. Thanks also to all the committee for helping to organise our activities throughout the weekend and to our members for the support, help and friendship which keeps the Charybdis and Limbourne family together. Other Association Business Membership News from Sara Brehony Congratulations to: - - Matthew Eskdale and Jasmine Spooner on their recent marriage, Matthew is the grandson of John Eskdale. - John Clink who has been awarded the CBE. - Dolly Toms who has recently celebrated her 90 th birthday. And a big thank you for those of you who have paid their subscriptions We have recently had several enquiries about the association through the Facebook page of the GAMRAM and through personal contact, which may result in some more new members. If you know of any others, in your family, who would be willing to join our Association, please let us know. It is good to have continuity to carry on the memories. AGM. - Important - It s different. As 2018 will be the 75 th Anniversary of the Sinking of the HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne we are planning a trip to the graves in France. As 2018 will be a busy year we have decided to hold our AGM on Saturday 14 th April 2018 at the Royal British Legion, Rykneld Street, Alrewas, followed by a visit to the National Arboretum (5 minute drive) to lay wreaths at our two Memorial Trees. More AGM details are attached and we would love to see members who have not been able to get to our events in the last few years. Please complete and return the form a,s,a,p, if you think that you may be able to attend and further details will be sent out nearer the time. France Trip Monday14th -Friday 18 th May 2018 The Programme is currently being finalised and will follow shortly. If you are interested, and have not let us know that you would like to come, then please get in touch. There are limited places available on the coach but, if you wish, you are also welcome to join us, using your own car. We will be visiting the graves in Dinard, St Brieuc and the monument in Perros Guirec, which is the nearest land to Les Sept Isles, where the ships sank.

5 Subscriptions for 2018 are due by 1 st April 2018 and it would really help us if they were all paid by the end of May Membership is only 6 per member per year. If you wish to pay in the new year, please feel free to do so, but Forms and reminders will be sent out with the Spring Newsletter. The next Guernsey Memorial Weekend is planned for Friday 28 th to Sunday 30 th September As this is our 75 th, if you are thinking of joining us it is best to book accommodation early for La Villette Hotel, as, in the past, members have been disappointed. If you also book your flight or ferry early, you might get a good deal. If you need any further details please feel free to ask. On behalf the Committee we wish you all a Good Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Very kind regards, Chris Cannon, Assistant Secretary. David Vale, Chairman